Azanide

Azanide is the IUPAC-sanctioned name for the anion NH2-. The term is obscure; derivatives of NH2- are almost invariably referred to as amides,  despite the fact that amide also refers to the organic functional group –C(\dO)\sNR2. The anion NH2- is the conjugate base of ammonia, so it is formed by the self-ionization of ammonia. It is produced by deprotonation of ammonia, usually with strong bases or an alkali metal. Azanide has a H–N–H bond angle of 104.5°.

Alkali metal derivatives
The alkali metal derivatives are best known, although usually referred to as alkali metal amides. Examples include lithium amide, sodium amide, and potassium amide. These salt-like solids are produced by treating liquid ammonia with strong bases or directly with the alkali metals (blue liquid ammonia solutions due to the solvated electron):


 * 2 M + 2 NH3 → 2 MNH2 + H2, where M = Li, Na, K

Silver(I) amide (AgNH2) is prepared similarly.

Transition metal complexes of the amido ligand are often produced by salt metathesis reaction or by deprotonation of metal ammine complexes.